FERROFLUID AS A LUBRICANT. Maddie Hanson. The purpose of this lab was to test the efficiency of a successfully made ferrofluid as a lubricant to decrease the friction between two solids and to test its efficiency as a damper. Different methods of lubrication were used to compare the results of the ferrofluid, and to determine whether its magnetic qualities reduce friction. Results showed an inconsistency with levels of static and actual forces, especially with the ferrofluid trials. The data sets in the ferrofluid trials were, on average, higher than those for no lubrication and oil. In conclusion, the ferrofluid with a magnet beneath it did not lubricate the surface and facilitate the movement of the weight. Ferrofluids have been thought to decrease friction between two solid surfaces, such as a disk drive; however, given the results of this lab, it cannot be determined that a ferrofluid would not be the appropriate material to use in such an application because of the inconclusive data obtained. The data obtained from this test was not exact, but it was conclusive. Compared with the oil and water, which filled the cylinder relatively quickly, the ferrofluid that was not presented with a magnetic force filled the cylinder slowly and the viscosity of the ferrofluid with the magnetic force prevented it from filling the cylinder at all. The high viscosity of the magnetized ferrofluid proves it an ideal fluid to be used as a damper in cars, loudspeakers, washing machines, or other applications. Key terms: ferrofluid, magnetite, surfactant, friction, lubrication, static force, actual force, viscosity
Figures of Apparatus: Ferrofluid
Figure 1: Ferrofluid exhibiting spikes under magnetic presence
Lubrication Apparatus Viscosity Apparatus
Results Graphic:
Figure 3: Plateus in force under each condition
References:
Berger, P., & Adelman, N. B. (1999). Preparation and properties of an aqueous ferrofluid. Journal of Chemical Education, 76(7), 943.
Chem-Fax. (2006). Ferrofluid nanotechnology demonstration [Brochure]. Batavia, IL: Flinn Scientific, Inc.
Zumdahl, S. S. (2010). Chemistry (8th ed.). Belmont, CA: Brooks/Cole, Cengage Learning.
Abstract:
FERROFLUID AS A LUBRICANT. Maddie Hanson. The purpose of this lab was to test the efficiency of a successfully made ferrofluid as a lubricant to decrease the friction between two solids and to test its efficiency as a damper. Different methods of lubrication were used to compare the results of the ferrofluid, and to determine whether its magnetic qualities reduce friction. Results showed an inconsistency with levels of static and actual forces, especially with the ferrofluid trials. The data sets in the ferrofluid trials were, on average, higher than those for no lubrication and oil. In conclusion, the ferrofluid with a magnet beneath it did not lubricate the surface and facilitate the movement of the weight. Ferrofluids have been thought to decrease friction between two solid surfaces, such as a disk drive; however, given the results of this lab, it cannot be determined that a ferrofluid would not be the appropriate material to use in such an application because of the inconclusive data obtained. The data obtained from this test was not exact, but it was conclusive. Compared with the oil and water, which filled the cylinder relatively quickly, the ferrofluid that was not presented with a magnetic force filled the cylinder slowly and the viscosity of the ferrofluid with the magnetic force prevented it from filling the cylinder at all. The high viscosity of the magnetized ferrofluid proves it an ideal fluid to be used as a damper in cars, loudspeakers, washing machines, or other applications.
Key terms: ferrofluid, magnetite, surfactant, friction, lubrication, static force, actual force, viscosity
Ferrofluid
Lubrication Apparatus
Viscosity Apparatus
Results Graphic:
References:
Berger, P., & Adelman, N. B. (1999). Preparation and properties of an aqueous ferrofluid. Journal of Chemical Education, 76(7), 943.
Chem-Fax. (2006). Ferrofluid nanotechnology demonstration [Brochure]. Batavia, IL: Flinn Scientific, Inc.
Zumdahl, S. S. (2010). Chemistry (8th ed.). Belmont, CA: Brooks/Cole, Cengage Learning.
Material Safety Data Sheets:
iron (II) chloride MSDS
iron (III) chloride
HCl
ammonia water solution
tetramethylammonium hydroxide solution
neodymium magnet
MSDS for the ferrofluid itself, from the Flinn Website (pdf)
ttp://fscimage.fishersci.com/msds/09850.htm